Birds and wildlife

Cirl Bunting

Emberiza cirlusGroup: BuntingsUK Conservation status:Red

How to identify

The Cirl Bunting is a charming relative of the Yellowhammer. The UK is the very limit of its European range. In spring, males have a striking black chin, eye stripe and crown, with yellow stripes on its head and yellow underparts. Female and juveniles look similar to Yellowhammers, but have bolder head markings and streaked grey/brown rumps. It is a Schedule 1 species.

Call

Cirl Bunting

Mathias Ritschard / xeno-canto

Distribution

Once a common bird of farmland in Southern England, Cirl Buntings were almost lost from the UK. However, successful conservation efforts by farmers and conservationists to provide the birds with suitable habitats in their last remaining stronghold of south Devon have helped the population to grow. The species is still predominantly found in south Devon, with a reintroduced population in Cornwall and signs of range recovery in a few other parts of Devon and into neighbouring counties

Key

  1. Resident
  2. Passage
  3. Summer
  4. Winter
* This map is intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.
  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Where best to see them

Key facts